Glasgow Warriors 'culture' defended in wake of Roddy Grant's sudden exit
Smith happy to revert to three-man coaching team
Franco Smith insists he is happy to revert to a three-strong coaching team at Glasgow Warriors following the abrupt departure this week of Roddy Grant.
It was announced on Tuesday night that Grant, 39, had parted company with the club following an internal investigation. The Warriors declined to divulge the reasons for his exit.
The former Edinburgh captain had joined Glasgow as an assistant coach in summer 2025, to work alongside head coach Smith and his assistants, Nigel Carolan and Scott Forrest.
“Look, the process was followed and we're just going to stick to the task and carry on each week,” said Smith. “Obviously we’re disappointed with everything that happened, but that's that.
“I think the club dealt with it and we're now heading on to the next thing.”
‘Not a difficult situation’
The club has no plans to replace Grant this season and Smith says he is content to continue as a coaching trio.
“We have enough people around,” said Smith. “I think the opportunity was there to enhance another coach, and that didn't work out now. But we have more than enough.
“During the first three years, we just coached, the three of us. My dream was always about creating an opportunity for somebody else also to be a part of it and learn, and maybe progress somebody else as well, and now that it's just back to us, the workload is shared evenly. Everybody knows what they're doing.”
Smith denied that it had been a difficult week and said that the matter had now been handled well by Kenny Brown, the Glasgow Warriors managing director.
“No, no, it wasn't a difficult situation at all,” said Smith. “It was well dealt with by Kenny Brown, and from his leadership perspective, we carried on.
“Again, like I said, we've coached without another assistant coach before. I prefer it that way in a certain way, and we were always thinking Roddy would add value to his coaching career by involving him.”
Smith added: “Look, we're a tight ship here and everybody knows exactly what my values are and where we stand and how we do things here. The culture of the club has been tried and tested over the last five years, and it comes up flying. That is what I'm proud of.
“This incident didn't influence anything that we did or do or want to become, or want to do, and the type of messaging that we give to the players. So, no, I think we weren't disrupted.”
11 Scotland internationals missing
Glasgow are looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they host the Lions on Friday night at Scotstoun. They go into the game without 11 Scotland internationals who have been retained by national coach Gregor Townsend ahead of next Saturday’s Nations Championship game against New Zealand at Murrayfield.
The absence of experienced players such as Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn, Kyle Rowe, Jamie Dobie, Rory Darge and the Fagerson brothers means there is a youthful feel to the Glasgow team.
Debut for Jake Shearer
Jake Shearer, a 20-year-old academy prop from Drongan in Ayrshire, will make his debut, starting at loosehead. There is also a potential debut for Cameron van Wyk, also 20, who is named on the bench. Van Wyk, a winger, was born in South Africa but is Scottish-qualified.
Shearer gets his opportunity in the absence of Nathan McBeth and Rory Sutherland, and Smith expects him to cope.
“I'm not worried about his physical attributes,” said the coach. “He'll be fine in the set-piece.”
Shearer will have Jack Singleton alongside him, with the England hooker making his first appearance in Glasgow colours after signing a short-term contract earlier this month. Singleton’s is a remarkable story as this will be his first game since suffering a heart attack after training with Gloucester over a year ago.
As back-up, Smith has named two hookers on the bench, Gregor Hiddleston and Seb Stephen, who are both in the Scotland squad. Stephen could also cover the back row.
Glasgow Warriors v Lions line-ups
BKT United Rugby Championship round 5, Scotstoun Stadium, Friday, 7.45
Glasgow Warriors: Ollie Smith; Bayley Kuenzle, Johnny Ventisei, Stafford McDowall (capt), Fergus Watson; Dan Lancaster, George Horne; Jake Shearer, Jack Singleton, Fin Richardson, Alex Craig, Jare Oguntibeju, Jamie Ritchie, Macenzzie Duncan, Euan Ferrie. Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston, Patrick Schickerling, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Ally Miller, Seb Stephen, Callum Reidy, Cameron van Wyk.
Lions: Quan Horn; Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Erich Cronje; Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg; SJ Kotze, Tiaan Lange, RF Schoeman, Etienne Oosthuizen, Ruan Delport, Siba Mahashe, Siba Qoma, Francke Horne (capt). Replacements: Morne Brandon, Boan Venter, Conraad van Vuuren, Dylan Sjoblom, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nico Steyn, Richard Kriel, Boeta Chamberlain.
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